If you have never been to San Francisco I think you will find it much different from NYC. If the airfare is comparable, think about flying to San Francisco (or Oakland) and make your first night in CA either in Sonoma or Half Moon Bay. For driving down the coast, I like driving north to south avoiding left turns into the viewpoints.

Are you planning on doing a lot of hiking in Big Sur? Otherwise, why 3 nights?

Personally, I find San Francisco very different from New York. There's not much of the crowded big city feel to San Francisco.

I'd suggest looking into the possibility of splitting up the last six days into two nights at Big Sur/Carmel, two nights in Sonoma/Healdsburg, and last two nights in San Francisco.

Have you looked at the drop off fees for picking up a car rental in one city and dropping off in another city? Could be hefty.

I think your itinerary sounds great. It would be nice to stop in Half Moon Bay -- it's a pleasant little town with a nice main street, good food, beach....On your way from there to Sonoma, consider going further up the coast, north of San Francisco (Point Reyes, Tomales Bay).

P.S. I agree with the others about San Francisco -- didn't recommend it because you had made a point about skipping it. It certainly is VERY different from NY (where I grew up and to which I return at least yearly, but I've lived in SF for nearly 40 years).

Thanks for the replies so far. I appreciate the comments regarding San Fran, but I wanted to leave it off the itinerary. I've been a couple of times and understand it's a great city (and much different than NY). I feel that I have a chance to explore on periodic business trips, whereas driving the coast is an infrequent opportunity at best.

Regarding 3 days in Big Sur, I booked our stay at Ventana Inn (i.e., special anniversary). I thought we might hike around for a day, explore a bit, visit Carmel/Monterey and chill. My preference was to have a nice base camp for a few days and not be packing and moving to a new location every day.

Big Sur is not on the coast, you know. It's inland, in a forest. It is charming, but three nights there would be too long, IMHO.

Personally, I would stay 2 nights in Santa Barbara, 1 or 2 in Big Sur.

And why Sonoma? There is lots of wine country on your drive up the coast. And Sonoma to SFO isn't a short drive.

Maybe spend more time on your drive south of SF, and not try to drive all the way to Sonoma. Choose more stays on the coast, or visit wineries or historic missions?

Sonoma to SFO isn't a LONG drive, either (less than 1-1/2 hours). Depends what time they're leaving from SFO and whether they intend to drive directly from Sonoma to the airport. I'd personally keep Sonoma (Sonoma, Healdsburg, Dry Creek, Occidental) in the itinerary.

As for the stay in Big Sur, since you've already made your plans at Ventana, no reason not to do this. Given the choice, I'd probably stay 2-3 nights in the Pacific Grove-Carmel area instead, and make the day trip south, rather than the other way around.

Big Sur stretches inland from the coast. Here is an interesting, useful guide to the area:

http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org/

Thanks again for the great suggestions and weblink. From what I've been reading it seems that Ventana has some flexibility as a destination spot in an of itself (with amenities, hiking, etc.) on premises. I hadn't thought about staying in Carmel and visting south but it's worth considering. Also sounds like a night in Half Moon Bay might make sense instead of a long drive (4hrs?) from Big Sur to Sonoma. We're leaving around noon on Tues from San Fran. I thought an early Sonoma departure (8am?) should give us time to get to the airport. Although, not sure about the rush hour situation on a Tues morning.

Rush hour is bad, but nothing like NY. You'll have plenty of time if you leave Sonoma at 8.

Or, if you're like me, you could stay near the airport on Monday night. Drive down from Sonoma late (no traffic), sleep, get up leisurely, have a nice breakfast, leave. The areas to look at are the airport hotels in Millbrae and Burlingame, or the hotels near El Camino in Millbrae.

Personally - I would skip staying at Santa Barbara - and consider staying up at Danish themed Solvang - http://www.solvangusa.com/ or at one of the wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley. I would also skip staying at Morro Bay (nice to drive in and see) and perhaps spend a night at say Cambria - for Hearst Castle - or tour Hearst Castle on your way to Ventana - and btw - Ventana is very nice. If you didn't stay in say Cambria - you could add a night in Carmel/Monterrey - where you can visit the Aquarium/Cannery Row/take the 17 mile drive - and from there - you could drive easily drive up to Sonoma in a day.

Now having said that - Half Moon Bay is also nice and a pretty drive from the Monterrey area.

Decisions, Decisions, eh?

Three nights at Ventana Inn would be an extremely romantic, peaceful, serene, relaxing get away. The commute from there to the sites, activities, and restaurants in the Carmel area would be about 40 min on a winding coastal road with spectacular scenery. If you want less serenity and romance and less driving, you could spend 1 night at Ventana and 2 in the Carmel/Monterey/Pacific Grove area. Either way, it's a glorious vacation.

Decisions, decisions, yes! However, all good

If it were me - and I normally am not a Nervous Nellie - I would leave Sonoma earlier than 8, more like 7. Even if you catch some rush hour traffic crossing the Golden Gate - enjoy the view and know you will not be missing your plane if something went somewhat wrong.

You could also stay Monday night at one of the motor inns down by the Golden Gate end of Lombard St. - and enjoy a lovely breakfast/brunch on Union St or Chestnut St and casually get to the airport from there - out 19th Ave - in maybe 45 minutes? I like the Chelsea Inn: http://www.chelseamotorinn.com/ and http://www.lombardstreethotels.com/

BTW - I don't think I could tire of driving either up or down the Coast from Ventana, certainly not in 3 days. Just spectacular. And one day you could go into Carmel/Monterrey and tour the Aquarium and adjacent Cannery Row and take the 17 mile drive back to Carmel and have late lunch/dinner there - or head back to beautiful Ventana.

<<<If it were me - and I normally am not a Nervous Nellie - I would leave Sonoma earlier than 8, more like 7. >>>

5 hours to go 57 miles (Sonoma town square to SFO)? Even at 20 miles an hour it would only take 3 hours!

Let's work backwards SF7. These days - you need to be at the airport at least an hour ahead to check in, get through security, etc, righto? Add what - conservatively add half an hour to turn in the rental car and get to the passenger area?

Ok - for a noon flight - that's what 10:30? If you ran into any bad traffic, and or a possible accident on the freeway (guess I think more about that down here in Southern Cal)that could add another hour plus. Assuming "normal" driving time from Sonoma to SFO would take an hour and a half or so - even leaving at 8 am could be iffy. Odds are - probably not - but if I am flying cross-country - I like to minimize - with a big M - the chances of missing the flight.

And that's why I like to stay near the airport the night before my flight (and why I live less than 5 miles from SFO)

Worth considering. Maybe I go straight from Big Sur to Sonoma on Saturday and stay in Half Moon Bay (closer to SFO) on Monday.

I don't think that's a good plan, really, looking at the map. You'd drive north, then south, then north, wouldn't you?

Sounds like another reason to fly in/out of Oakland.

flight to sfo is already booked. likely best to suck it up and leave Sonoma early. no problem for me, but getting my wife moving early is another matter!

Great idea to head to Sonoma from Carmel - not that far of a drive really - and then stay at say the Ritz at Half Moon bay the last night - and then just pop over the hill to SFO, no more than say 45 minutes.

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HalfMoonBay/Default.htm

Drove that road after seeing Stanford beat Notre Dame in football last fall, and my college buddy and his wife live right next to the beautiful Ritz, and we had late night drinks at one of the many cute places in the small downtown area of the town of Half Moon Bay.

BTW - driving in from Sonoma - and seeing the SF skyline from the Golden Gate and then down 280? - to take the road over to Half Moon By is a very scenic drive in and of itself.

It's only about 21 miles from Half Moon Bay to SFO.

see: http://www.travelmath.com/drive-distance/from/SFO/to/Half+Moon+Bay,+CA

You could also drive down scenic Hiway 1 from SF to Half Moon Bay - rather than down 280 to hiway 92 and over the hill. http://wwwpenandpalette-susancushman.blogspot.com/2009/05/half-moon-bay-and-cliff-house.html

To get to 1 - drive out to the Cliff House - which is a great place for a hot toddy overlooking the Ocean - taking Geary St from 19th ave - and 19th is the exit you need to turn onto after you come across the GG bride, rather than continuing on into the Marina/Lombard St/SF.

From near the Cliff House to Half Moon Bay is about a half an hour drive - maybe a bit more - but it's only about 24 miles.

If you wanted to do that - I would suggest you leave Sonoma mid-afternoon - and on a Monday - the traffic should not be that bad going back into SF. On Sundays - it can really back up with all the people coming back from wine country, Marin County, etc.

For another map - also see: http://www.hilltopautoservice.com/Map.htm

To clarify, I meant the town of Big Sur is in a forested area.

The Ventana looks fantastic!

i like your idea of staying in HMB the last night.

The problem with staying north of SF is that there's a bottleneck called "The Golden Gate Bridge". I wouldn't want to be north of that potential bottleneck while trying to reach the airport for a flight home.

It sounds a lot more relaxing to be closer to the airport on the last night.

Like Tomsd said, there are some great dining places in HMB and closeby.

Just a heads up/warning: the drive from the Cliff House to HMB is 24 miles, but it is not a freeway; it takes at least 45 minutes (or more, depending upon the time of day), not a half hour.

Same thing for the drive from HMB to SFO: a good portion of that 21 miles is not freeway. Weekday mornings, the traffic can be an issue, so allow yourself time.

That said, HMB is quite nice; just don't expect a typical "California beach town", because it's not (which is one of its charms, imo). Also, usually overcast in the evenings and mornings, so if you're planning to arrive late and leave early, don't count on sunshine!

Geesh - be sure to allow yourself a whole extra 15 minutes on any of my estimates. If you leave HMB by say 9:30 - when there should not be much traffic - you can be at the airport - without any hassle - easily by 10:30.

Tomsd, I did not mean to offend you. I have lived here all my life, though; and I travel these routes frequently enough to know how easily a person can be deceived by mileage on maps vs. actual driving time.

No offense, just inane. 15 minute difference. Yahooooo.

BTW - I can drive from the Cliff House down to Half Moon Bay in about half an hour. Or certainly used to be able to. Just have to know how to pass slow drivers.

And I just drove 92 from the 101 over to Half Moon Bay last fall. No big deal.

Neither drive is a big deal, and both are beautiful drives. (Do be careful, though: our highway patrol takes great pleasure in ticketing drivers who ignore the flow of traffic!)

In any case, perhaps I'm unusual, but when I'm on vacation (as I assume the OP is going to be), I like to be able to enjoy the scenery of a beautiful drive, not worry about making time! But of course, we all have different traveling styles.

LucieV: My bad as you sincerely meant to help the visitor with your information. There are a couple of other posters in here whom I don't feel are so well-intended.

And yes, how I zipped around when I used to live there is not the same as a visitor enjoying the sights. Also - those doggone Chippies are better at hiding these days, and the radar is better.

You can only go so far relying on maps, tripadvisor and fodors. All of this feedback has been terrific and very helpful. Thank you all very much.

Roger that. Hope you post your planned itinerary - and/or a post trip report.

We enjoyed Ventana a couple of times with some people from my ole law school - UC Hastings Sf. One night - it was fun to watch the Marine layer/fog - roll in over those below (such as at Nepenthene) while we still enjoyed the sunshine.

Nice.. sounds like heaven! BTW, I booked at a place called the Cypress Inn (Miramar Beach) in HMB for Monday. Seems nice. Ritz looks beautiful, but trying to stanch the wallet hemorrhage after Ventana.

You apparently have your heart set on Ventana, but I like the Post Ranch Inn.

www.postranchinn.com

Here are CondeNast reviews/comparisons of Ventana and Post Ranch:

http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/centralcoast/hotels/112

http://www.concierge.com/travelguide/centralcoast/hotels/111

LOL. Toward the end of the trip, especially. Hey - anywhere decent in HMB would be fine - as you would not be that far from the beach and the cute downtown area. I will have to ask my friend the name of the place we stopped at. They are regulars there - and we only had a nightcap - but they apparently have decent food too, and it was a "happening" place.

Might have been Cetrella's but will double check. http://www.cetrella.com/music.php

Agree with Tomsd re Morro Bay. I'd either stay at the Cass House Inn in Cayucos or someplace in Cambria. Also agree with Jean on the Ventana vs Post Ranch Inn debate. My husband and I stayed at the Post Ranch Inn last August for an anniversary celebration. My husband, who was beyond skeptical that it would be worth the money, left saying we should make the PRI our go-to vacation spot. If you click on my name, you'll find my trip report where I describe it in more detail.

Thanks for the suggestions. PRI looks spectacular, but at $6K for 3 nights, so is the price (unless it also comes with a mortgage!) I think I'll probably stick with second best in Big Sur. Regarding Cambria, I had originally booked at the Blue Dolphin Inn but later switched to the Anderson Inn in Morro Bay because it's the actual day of my anniversary and wanted to pair up a nice place with a nice restaurant (Galley Seafood Grill?). Any thoughts on BDI? Cass House looks great too.

If you really want a special treat in the general Cambria area - check out the Justin winery, or one of the other French sytled Chateau/winery/B&B's - a short drive from the Coast toward Paso Robles along hiway 46.

My nephew has become a bit of a oenophile - and he and his lively new bride (she's from a big NY Italian family - with an Aunt who used to be a professional singer - need I say more? ) spent their honeymoon at Justin, but there are others that are nice along that road - more or less 45 minutes from the Cambria area. http://www.justinwine.com/ and in general: http://www.paso46westwineries.com/

Here's a little on their restaurant - and their wine Isosceles Reserve - is top rated. http://isoscelesreserve.com/ and http://www.justinwine.com/visit_restaurant_at_justin.php

BTW - did I mention there are also very good wineries around Solvang - and the St. Rita Hills in the west end of the Santa Ynez Valley has gained acclaim. Hey - you can even take a quick trip to Provence if you stop by this beautiful Clairmont lavender field/farm (near Los Olivos) for a picnic lunch. http://www.clairmontfarms.com/

The Anderson Inn does look promising from the photos on the website. If you haven't had a chance, take a look at Darrin H's photos from his stay on 3/5/12 and Solara 1's review of 3/1/12 on Tripadvisor to be sure it will fit the bill for this particularly special night. I don't find Morro Bay itself to be overly attractive. Re the Post Ranch, my husband definitely would have balked at $2000/night. We were able to book a Lexus package for our stay in August which included two dinners (still had to pay tax and tip plus our tree house room which was $945/night plus tax). Other packages are available through PRI.

<<<PRI looks spectacular, but at $6K for 3 nights, so is the price (unless it also comes with a mortgage!)>>>

This reminds me of a funny - the guy at the butcher counter at my local market told me the other day he's starting a sideline business in the store ---- making loans to people who want to buy fresh salmon!

Could be a good biz. Same for fresh Ahi/Bluefin.

Nice deal on PRI! I'll take a look. If not, there's always dinner at their restaurant. Also, nice suggestion regarding the photos of Morro Bay. The Anderson Inn (and reviews) look great. The area however looks like a fishing port. Not sure that that's what I had in mind, so will probably give it some further thought. Amen on the salmon mortgage! I usually have Wild Alaskan a couple of times/week and it's never a picnic at the cash register.

Cambria is definitely "cuter" than Morro Bay if that's what you're looking for. The stretch of 46 between the 1 and 101 is very scenic. Downtown Paso has some good restaurants too but it can get be very hot there in the summer. Don't know when you're visiting. I don't necessarily think you even need a night between Santa Barbara and Ventana but don't know what you're planning to do in between.

Didn't necessarily require cute, although my wife would probably prefer that. I was just looking for nice (and trying avoid busy, tacky or congested). Interesting point about the extra night. My original plan was to go from Manhattan Beach to Cambria and Cambria to Ventana with anniversary dinner 6/12 at PRI. Someone I know who took the coast trip previously said I'd never make the first leg during daylight (on PCH). I then added Santa Barbara in order to break up the trip. I wasn't planning to visit Hearst Castle (I've been there before), but I prefered some time along the way to stop for lunch and to check out the sights. Paso sounds like a nice day trip, although I imagine dinner/wine might not be advisable if driving back to Cambria or Morro Bay in the evening

I like your original plan and think it's doable. The windy part of PCH starts north of Cambria. On our last two trips we've driven from Orange County, south of Manhattan Beach, to either San Luis Obispo or Paso Robles. We have left on a Sunday which does cut down on traffic, and we don't mind driving for 5-6 hours with a break for lunch. The car pool lane through LA always helps. We did encounter traffic in Santa Barbara this last trip. However many days you spend on the road, it would be ideal if you could be in Big Sur for the anniversary dinner.

Did you have a chance to check out Justin Vinyard, among the others along 46? Again, within 45 minutes of Cambria.

Again, I was amazed to see some of the grand Chateaux when I drove that road for the first time last fall. Just blown away really, and there are also a number of just plain ole good wineries, simple guest cottages and the like..

Here are a couple more examples: http://www.eaglecastlewinery.com/ http://www.croadvineyards.com/ http://www.fratelliperata.com/paso.html http://www.peachycanyon.com/cottage/ http://chanticleervineyardbb.com/index.php/guest-rooms
http://www.docerobleswinery.com/
http://huntcellars.com/
http://rtvpix.com/BU-8315-Q2Y37R-01 and in general: http://www.paso46westwineries.com/wineries.php and http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?destid=1112&p=7

Oops. Here's the Inn at Justin - where my nephew and his bride stayed for their honeymoon, and loved it. http://www.justinwine.com/visit_just_inn.php

Just another opinion re: PRI v. VI.
I have stayed at VI (about 4 years ago).
I have not stayed at PRI.
I have stayed at PRI's "sister resort" in Fiji (Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort).

Next time I am going to blow bucks in Big Sur, I'd way rather blow them at PRI than at Ventana, which I found overpriced, pretentious (self-conscious New Age-y pretentious), and just Not All That.

LucieV - do you need a butler?

Yes, I do, Tom. I also need a cook, a housekeeper, a dog-walker, a travel agent, a secretary, and a sugar daddy.


fwiw: the only reason we stayed at JMC Fiji is because at the time my niece was working there as their in-house marine biologist. Even then, it cost us more than we could afford. But it was worth every penny.

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably stick with the two stops before Ventana. While not ideal for the anniv dinner, it'll give us some more time to explore on the way up. Paso seems like a good option. Checked out Just Inn and it looks really nice. So does the restaurant. I'll proablably give my wife the option (i.e., beach or wine country) to see what she prefers. Thanks for all of the winery links. Sounds like a perfect way to spend the day. No question that PRI looks amazing. However, none of the packages are available for the period of my trip and I can't swing the price (i.e. 3x the cost of VI). Maybe after I hit Lotto (which I'm planning to do) I'll likely stick with VI and hope for the best. We'll probaly be out and about most of the time anyway.

Butler and sugar daddy...Nice!

LOL LucieV: I was all about signing up until I got to the sugar daddy part. A friend of mine and his wife bought a dive resort in Fiji - and was going to get over there, but never did - and then they sold it. Some of the best diving in the world.

sms406: Always a wise choice to get the official decision from the little lady. You really can't go wrong either way - and even if you don't stay in a Paso Robles winery - there are also some around Cambria.

BTW - the Moonlight Beach area by Cambria is cool.

Geesh - all this travel talk has reminded me that it's time to pay the piper. Off to workout - but love reading about travel planning. Keep it up.

Uno Mas: It's Moonstone beach by Cambria. Something didn't quite sound right about that.

http://www.central-coast-travel.com/moonstone-beach.html

sms406, I certainly did not mean to pour cold water on your plans: your trip sounds fabulous, and I know you will enjoy VI, despite my nitpicky comparison to PRI. (Since I can't afford to go to either place at this point, I envy you!)

I much prefer to save on lodging and spend the rest of the travel budget on great meals, helicopter flights, diving, whatnot.

Thanks again for the great advice. The place I'm tentatively booked to stay in Cambria is on Moonstone Beach.. so cool! I can understand the effusive praise of PRI. It really looks like a special place. I'm sure if I went there I'd get to hang with Brangelina or Beyonce. However, if I can't find a way to enjoy myself at VI, then there's probably something wrong with me. I'm currently in the process of switching careers, so maybe PRI is in my future. Then again, I may be lucky ending up as a butler!

Thanks again for the great advice. I can understand the effusive praise of PRI. It really looks like a special place. I'm sure I'd end up bumping into Brangelina or Beyonce. However, if I can't enjoy myself at VI, then something's probably wrong with me. I'm working on a career switch, so maybe PRI is in my future. Then again, I may be lucky to end up as a butler!

One other thought. When leaving Manhattan Beach - I trust you are considering driving up scenic PCH/1 toward/through Malibu? You could be in Santa Barbara in a fairly leisurely hour and a half.

From SB - if you wanted to spend two nights at say Moonstone Beach or Justin Winery - you could drive another 45 minutes or so to Solvang - http://www.solvangusa.com/ - have a snack/Danish pastry/lunch/visit a winery (the driver going lightly on the "Excelsior of the Gods" of course) - and then be off on a fairly straight shot up to Cambria/Moonlight Beach or Justin - in maybe 3 hours (it's only about 90 miles - most of it not along the ocean) - even with a stop in Morro Bay - where you might also sample the Saltwater taffy.

Just a thought - as it might be easier/more relaxing to spend two nights in the same place while you are heading up to Big Sur.

see: http://www.distance-calculator.co.uk/usa-distance-cambria-to-solvang.htm

Uno Mas: Have you seen the hilarious movie Sideways? About a couple guys on a bachelor party trip to wine country. Several of the wineries shown in the movie are in the greater Santa Ynez Valley, around Solvang/Los Olivas, etc. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375063/

Sounds like the ride isn't nearly as bad as i was lead to believe by a friend of mine. As bon voyage mentioned, i probably didn't need to rearrange my trip and add the santa barbara night. What you suggest might be a nice alternative. I'll let it marinate a bit. btw, i did see sideways. Looks like beautiful country over there.

Marinte away. My sister used to drive to San Luis Obisbo in about 5 hours from here - pretty regularly - when my niece was going to college there. And we're an hour and a half south of Manhatten Beach.

fter the morning rush hour - you might take the 405 freeway up to say the 10/Santa Monica area - and take a short jaunt over to the Coast and head up PCH from there. A beautiful drive along Malibu, past Pepperdine up on the hill, etc.

Play around with this map for example: http://www.hw.com/abouthw/DirectionsMaps.aspx

That whole area around Paso Robles/Cambria/San Luis Obispo has morphed from cow country into a food and wine destination--award-winning vineyards and olive oil farms plus local seafood. There are cute shops in Cambria, more shops and a leafy central square in Paso Robles, and lovely seaside hiking in Montaña de Oro State Park.